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PhrasesItalian Cultural EtiquetteTanti auguri a te!
A1informal

Tanti auguri a te!

Happy birthday to you!

Pronunciation

au-GU-ri — stress on second syllable. 'Auguri' literally means 'good wishes'.

When to use it

Sing or say on someone's birthday. 'Auguri' is a versatile wish used for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, name days and any celebratory occasion. Learning the full birthday song in Italian is a social asset.

What it means

'Auguri' comes from 'augurio' (omen/wish) and is Italy's all-purpose celebration word. For birthdays: 'tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri a [name], tanti auguri a te!' — sung to the same tune as Happy Birthday. For other occasions: 'auguri!' alone suffices.

Variations

Buon compleanno!

Happy birthday!

More specific than 'auguri' — literally 'good birthday'.

Cent'anni!

May you live a hundred years!

Traditional Italian birthday wish — equivalent of 'many happy returns'.

Auguri e figli maschi!

Best wishes and male children!

Traditional, slightly old-fashioned wish — reflects historical preference for male heirs.

Mini Dialogue

— (tutti insieme) Tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri a Marco, tanti auguri a te! — Grazie mille a tutti! — Cent'anni, Marco! — Cent'anni a tutti voi! — E adesso la torta — soffia! — Uno... due... tre! (spegne le candeline)

— (all together) Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Marco, happy birthday to you! — Thank you all so much! — May you live a hundred years, Marco! — A hundred years to all of you! — And now the cake — blow! — One... two... three! (blows out the candles)

Cultural Note

The Italian birthday tradition includes: the 'torta di compleanno' (birthday cake with candles), blowing the candles, the 'auguri' song, and often a party ('festa'). In many Italian families, the 'onomastico' (name day — the feast day of your saint) is celebrated nearly as importantly as the birthday itself.